Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-01-28
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TO-DAY.
CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XIX.
Whatever ill the conferences of
Plowitz and Miss Beaufoy night bode
towards us, had at least the advantage
of being able to observe without ex-
citing observation. The first fruits Of
my vigilance were uneasy thoughts that
Plowitz had indeed some inkling of my
secret, and was resolved either to de-
tect my false pretences,. or to Illustrate
the schemes to which they invited me
to aspire. But I resolved. while exer-
cising all the caution I could muster,
to act for the interest of Mary Fortescue
and myself, precisely as though no
suspicion of the real state Of affairs
were aroused in any quarter. The ad-
vantage given to me by having sur
prised the secret of the staircase, re-
solved to use as freely as was compatible
with safety. My first care was to'open
up communications with Mary-to
satisfy myself of her welfare, and to
take such steps 70 secure her safety as
occasion might put it into my power 10
adopt.
I therefore watched my opportunity
carefully, and in day or two found a
lucky hour in which 1 might, with q
reasonable hope of success, try to turn
my knowled ge to account.
Everybody had gone out except
myself-a state of affairs which I had
hardly dared to hope would come
about so soon. The house was pro-
foundly still. left the drawing-room
door open, and played as loudly as i
could several of the airs which Mary
and.I had sung or played most fire.
quenNy together. Then, looking care
fully about me that I might not be
observed by any of the Hardy faction,
I'set' the mechanism of the staircase in
operation, and in a minute stood with
in the narrow passage-way.
p Some instinct had warned Mary to
be- or the watch. Scarcely had I ad-
vanced cautiously rs far as the door of
the room in which I had so roughly
brought Plowitz's wooing to a close
when Mary appeared at tho end of
the passage. She flew towards me
when she made sure who it was.
II knew you would come soon," she
said. Il heard you playing, and felt
sure von meant it for me-"
":rhey were the songs you like best.
I scarcely dared to hope you would
understand their message
She blushet, and then asked anxious
~.
docs DR.. Plowitz know that you
were here that day."
..No; he seems to think it was you
who in some way taught him lesson.
HaveYou not seen him since?"
mo. do not fear him. I car
avoid himn as rule if / hear him com
ing. Anyhow, am not as much afraid
of him for myself"
'tEor whom then2''
"Bam afraid for you," she said earn
estly. again coloring and looking
shylt at me, in strange contradiction
| to tie earnestness of her speech. 6:
am, afraid for you. He would not
he COULD not hurt me. But if h
thoaght you were opposing him-sta
more, if he imagined you could see, h
would stand at nothing for revenge
foprsafeAy."
''RGe would he right" I answered
..Dht youp How is it with You
Helpless and prisoner as you virtua2l
aYe, tremble for your safety
NO." she replied, ''you exaggerat
nF danger. 1t is true that I ana,
missioner, but I would be prisoner,c
i INV own choice rather than be constant
! ,ly i'm the society of Dr.. Plowitz, wh
!, likes me too much, or Of Guilia, wll
4 loves me too little"
! A brief time of conversation. inte
!: esting only to ourselves followed' an
= then my concern for Mary's~ safet
stoeled me- to a hurried parting. b
: as went out on the landing.. just I
), tho wall closed behind me, l. though
}. most viviilly, that I had seen a tigure
h the figure, rs it scanned, or HRndy-
;, standing at the erd of: thu. passag
y Had he been listeningp Had
E seen mep And, if 50, he
. could I tell-how guard against t
4 probable revenge Of Plowitz2'
!, A few days passed., in which Il
9 doubt and the unoertaiuty as to VIII
: effect the occurrence, if observed, mig
have had upon tho trsat.nent Of Ma
Fortescue, gave me buh little rest d
and night The Basiask was almost
her best and sweetest. faowitz v
! cordial enough In manner, but TIL
was look Of green jealousy and hatl
in his eyes which was new, and VIII
i, justified my worst suspicious. 90,
4 believe at times, from that look, Il
Ut he had wreaked his envy and chag
\ by even the death of her who had be
" unhappy enough to attract his UNIV
q come addresses. My anxiety was
- = great that Itook the earliest opport,,
: ty when Plowitz had set out for wa
Ia =